Word Origin & History

dope 1807, Amer.Eng., "sauce, gravy," from Du. doop "thick dipping sauce." Extension to "drug" is 1889, from practice of smoking semi-liquid opium preparation. Meaning "foolish, stupid person" is older (1851) and may have a sense of "thick-headed." Sense of "inside information" (1901) may come from knowing before the race which horse had been drugged to influence performance. Related: Doped; doping. Dope-fiend is attested from 1896.

Example Sentences for dope

Of course he's sick from the dope, an' the others are a bit fast for him.

You make out a list of what dope you want—and be sure yuh get a-plenty.

The "dope" he used was mailed to him by a drug firm in Chicago.

I'll bet we can dope out some way of putting it over on them.

He was snuffing at the splashes of axle “dope” on the ground beneath the wagon.

It would weary a mule's flesh to study them dope books, Frank.

In them were a score of snares for the buccaneer with money in his pocket and dope in his blood.

But now I know Crimmins fed you dope while pretending to hand you nerve food.

Secondly, he thought you had split about the dope, and he laid his discharge to you.